Two FDNY Fire Fighters Killed in Fire Near Ground Zero

Robert Beddia

August 19, 2007 – The IAFF is deeply saddened by the deaths of two FDNY fire fighters killed August 18 while battling a blaze at a building just south of New York's ground zero.

Robert Beddia, 53, a 23-year veteran, and Joseph Graffagnino, 33, an eight-year veteran with FDNY – both with Ladder Company 5 and members of the Uniformed Firefighters Association Local 94 – became trapped while working the seven-alarm fire in the Deutsche Banking building. After running out of air, both suffered severe smoke inhalation and were taken to the hospital in cardiac arrest where they succumbed to their inhalation injuries.

“On behalf of the IAFF Executive Board and our 280,000 members, I extend our thoughts and sympathies to the families of our fallen brothers and to our members of Local 94,” says IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger. “We stand with you in this time of mourning.”

FDNY Ladder Company 5 also lost fire fighters in the September 11, 2001, attack on the World Trade Center.

Another five or six fire fighters were hurt while fighting the blaze, which began about 3:40 p.m. More than 475 fire fighters and 87 fire units responded to the fire. Its cause is not immediately known.

Both fallen fire fighters responded to the World Trade Center on September 11. That day, fire fighters from this firehouse were as high up as the 37th floor of the north tower, looking for survivors, and 11 of them never made it out.

Joseph Graffagnino

Brothers Graffagnino and Beddia are the 1,136th and 1,137th members of the New York City Fire Department to make the Supreme Sacrifice in the Department's 143-year history.

The viewing for Brother Beddia will be held on Wednesday and Thursday, August 22-23, 2007, from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Harmon Funeral Home, 571 Forest Avenue, Staten Island, New York; (718) 442-5056. The funeral Mass will be held on Friday, August 24, 2007, at 9:30 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, East 50th Street & 5th Avenue, Manhattan, New York.

The viewing for Brother Graffagnino will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday, August 21-22, 2007, from 2:00 to 5:00 and 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. at the Torregrossa & Sons Funeral Home, 1305 79th Street, Brooklyn, New York; (718) 232-8844. The funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, August 23, 2007, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Ephrems Roman Catholic Church, 935 Bay Ridge Parkway (75th Street), Brooklyn, New York; (718) 833-1555. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York.